South California Coast above Santa Barbara

I hate to be a spoil sport but having looked at many of the previously mentioned camping spots above Santa Barbara online recently myself, you will likely also find that they have already been booked for months. Some may have open spots for a single week day if you get lucky. Plaskett, for example, had sporadic, one day availability through August. Moro Bay will be your best bet for late reservations of all the ones mentioned so far IMHO. It also gives you the charter boats and the hookups.

We went to big Sur last year from LA and stopped at six camping spots between here and Monterey on the PCH. Every single one was packed to the gills. We made our reservations several months in advance and so do most people for beach side locations on the Cally cost in the summer from about the end of May to the end of August. It's crazy how quickly they book up.

Jbrowland wrote:
I hate to be a spoil sport but having looked at many of the previously mentioned camping spots above Santa Barbara online recently myself, you will likely also find that they have already been booked for months. Some may have open spots for a single week day if you get lucky. Plaskett, for example, had sporadic, one day availability through August. Moro Bay will be your best bet for late reservations of all the ones mentioned so far IMHO. It also gives you the charter boats and the hookups.

We went to big Sur last year from LA and stopped at six camping spots between here and Monterey on the PCH. Every single one was packed to the gills. We made our reservations several months in advance and so do most people for beach side locations on the Cally cost in the summer from about the end of May to the end of August. It's crazy how quickly they book up.

THIS!^^^^^^^

people from out of state have no idea how competitive coastal campsites are in California, even off-season.

This competition for California campsites is not new. I remember long lines at coastal state parks, campers waiting to go in when someone checked out. There were no reservations then, back in the late 1950's.

Perhaps the only difference was that back then folks had smaller rigs/tents/whatever, so once you got a site and settled into it the place did not seem as crowded as it might now with huge slide-out RV's or 2-bedroom tents and tons of gear around. Also back then no generators or dogs as far as I remember. No televisions. Mostly just mom, dad, and the kids having fun.

So if you are travelling the Ca coast and dont have this previous knowledge of having to have reservations where do you go ? Eventually you have to stop and sleep.

nevadanick wrote:
So if you are travelling the Ca coast and dont have this previous knowledge of having to have reservations where do you go ? Eventually you have to stop and sleep.

You keep driving, or you go inland, or you get a motel for $$.

My dad and I were tent camping in the 80s, and we drove and drove, looking for a place. Now I make reservations.

Couple of things . . .
Generally going inland will you'll find sites available. Case in point, we use Betabel RV park near Gilroy to access the Monterey area. El Chorro, located between SLO & Morro, is pretty nice with both dry camping & FHU's. I doubt if availability would be an issue if you arrive midweek.

Yes, Betabel is nice. Marina Dunes RV park is just OK, but right over the sand dune from the ocean. Grands loved it along with the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

leesan wrote:
How about Pismo the Oceano campground Electricity and water only, no sewer. One block from the beach

BEWARE, Oceano campground is being totally rebuilt and is closed until???
However, Pismo Coast Village would be a good spot if you can get reservations, full hookup.
Another possibility is Pismo State North Beach, however, no hookups.
There are several other private, smaller RV parks in Pismo Beach that may be available, and that fits your requirements.
Good Luck

Thanks folks for the suggestions. After looking and calling almost everyone, no one has availability to fit my 28' 5er and truck. We can stay a day here and there, but nothing for 3 to 5 days straight.

So were headed to the gulf coast for 5 days at Quintana beach below Huston, near Freeport.

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Ill plan an lot earlier for next year.

powerscol wrote:
Thanks folks for the suggestions. After looking and calling almost everyone, no one has availability to fit my 28' 5er and truck. We can stay a day here and there, but nothing for 3 to 5 days straight.

So were headed to the gulf coast for 5 days at Quintana beach below Huston, near Freeport.

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Ill plan an lot earlier for next year.

Yep, welcome to the rat race, that is summer camping on the West Coast.
Families out here, often pool all their computers to get a group of sites, the first 5 minutes they become available.

I've seen every SoCal state beach campsites gone in less than 5 minutes.